Newyddion

09/11/2026 00:00, I Mewn Blog /

The Cardiff Cross Challenge - the UK's only World Athletics Cross Country Tour event - once again delivered a brilliant day's racing in the Welsh capital. 

The opening fixture of this year British Athletics Cross Challenge Series saw Kate Axford (Belgrave Harriers) and Matthew Ramsden (Blackburn Harriers and AC) claim the senior men’s and women’s titles.

Hundreds more athletes graced the 10-race timetable, which incorporated the second fixture of the John H. Collins League.

The format allows club runners from across South Wales and the South West of England to rub shoulders with some of the sport’s stars across a range of age groups.

One of the most eagerly anticipated races of the SportsShoes.com and Nike sponsored event was the senior women’s category, which featured an array of top talent from across the UK and beyond.

Three-time Olympian and double European 1500m champion Laura Muir (Dundee and Hawkhill Harriers) made her first cross country appearance outside Scotland since 2014.

However, it was Great Britain cross country international and former hockey international Axford who stole the show in a thrilling finish to the 6,400m race, breaking the tape in 20:37.

Amelia Quirk (Bracknell AC) followed just a few strides behind, clocking the same time, while Rebecca Flaherty (Bingley Harriers & AC) was third in 20:40.

Axford is now eyeing the second fixture of the Cross Challenge on November 28^th in Liverpool, which will be the official Great Britain trial for December’s European Cross Country Championships in Serbia.

Following her victory, the 2024 European 10th placed athlete and team silver medallist said, "The last time I raced this race was two years ago; since that time, I have had all sorts of different setbacks and injuries.

 "I like cross, but I didn't know how I would fare. It was nice to use some of that 1500m speed in the last 30 seconds to take the win. It was a great race; I was tested all the way.

“I’m aiming to go to Liverpool and try to make the Euro cross country team. It’s a good event for me and always good fun.”

Commenting on the Cardiff event, Axford added, “I ran here two years ago and loved it. I think it’s such a good event, really well organised and it gets a good field every time.”

Tokyo Olympics 1500m silver medallist, Muir, settled for a fifth place finish in 20:50, but was delighted with her visit to Cardiff - bathed in glorious November sunshine for the race which also featured female and male masters categories.

“I always get a nice reception in Wales, so it was lovely to come back,” said Muir. “I’m really impressed with the event, it’s a great set-up. The other competitors have been amazing.

“I was stood on the start line with people of so many abilities and ages, which was really lovely. Cross country is the only opportunity to do that.

“There was lovely support all the way around,” added Muir who stayed at the finish line long after the end of the race signing autographs and posing for countless selfies with excited young fans.

The highest placed Welsh finisher in the senior women’s race was Kayley Price (Newport Harriers) who placed 26th in 22:19, despite having woken up on Sunday morning feeling unwell.

The senior men’s race boasted a dramatic finish as Ramsden struck for glory after James Kingston (Tonbridge AC) had led for much of the 9,600m course.

Despite having made a wrong turn in the closing stages, Ramsden surged past Kingston in the home straight to claim the win in 27:26, two second ahead of his rival.

In another high-class field littered with top class athletes, Kadar Omar (Birchfield Harriers) was third in 27:39.

Ramsden said of the race, “It’s my first time at the Cardiff Cross and it definitely lived up to expectations. It was really good running underfoot, so I really enjoyed it.

“Next up is the Liverpool Cross Challenge where hopefully I can make that European to go to Serbia. With cross country, it all depends on the day but preparations have been going well and this is another step towards that.”

Like Muir, Ramsden enjoyed being involved in the mass participation format alongside athletes of all abilities and ages competing in the Gwent League fixture.

“I just love running, I love the people that are involved and the people that help organise and volunteer to set up events like this. It’s what running’s all about.

“I think it’s brilliant that everyone’s involved and they don’t spilt the runners up. As we were coming around that third lap and we were going past some of the runners, they were cheering us on.

“From the people who compete at the grass roots all the way up to the professionals, everyone’s the same. The volunteers, everyone, they’re doing it because they love the sport.”

In the age group races, the Under-18 and Under-20 women’s combined race saw a superb home win for Welsh Athletics National Development Programme athlete Bryony Boyce (Cardiff Athletics).

Boyce was the first under-18 runner to complete the 4,450m course, clocking 15:17 to hold off the challenge of Florence Goodwin (Brighton and Hove AC), who was second in 15:19. Olivia Lee (Derby AC) was third in 15:20.

The women’s Under-20 race was won by Maisey Bellwood (Keighley and Craven AC) in 14:45. Lizzy Sheridan (Reading AC) was second in 15:06 and Eleanor Foster (North Devon AC) third in 15:08. Holly Humphreys (Swansea Harriers) was fifth in 15:17.

The men’s Under-20 title went to Rory Barclay-Wyatt (Exeter Harriers) who had time to start celebrating his win half way down the home straight before taking the tape in 16:01. Jack Sanderson (Settle Harriers) was second in 16:11 ahead of Onjoro Sumba (Aldershot Farnham and District) who clocked the same time.

Nirajkrishna Manojkumar (Basingstoke and Mid Hants) was the Under-18 champion in 16:24. Elliott Langley-Aybar (Bracknell AC) finished second in 16:40 with Byron Roberts (Eastbourne Rovers AC) third in 16:44. Nate Greig (Bridgend Athletics) was fourth in 16:47.

There was another outstanding Welsh result in the Under-16 boys race where Lewis Durston (Bridgend Athletics) was triumphant on the 3,200m course.

Durston was vying for the lead with Thomas Hastings (Wakefield and District H & AC) coming into the home straight. But with a smile spreading over his face with 50m to go, Durston pulled away to take the tape in 9:36 – two seconds ahead of his rival. Edward Salter (Taunton AC) was third in 9:43.

The wide reach of the Cardiff Cross Challenge was illustrated in the geographical spread of entries, even in the youngest age group races.

The Under-14 girls race was dominated by the Brentwood Beagles Club whose athletes had travelled across the country from Essex to take part.

The journey was a worthwhile one as Sophia Davies took the win in confident style in 9:17 ahead of clubmate Lianne Esterhuysen, who completed the 2,780m course in 9:35.

Ada Penfold (Gosforth H&AC), who had also made a marathon journey from the North East of England, finished third in 9:38. The first Welsh club finisher was Molly-Mae McQueen, who finished tenth in 10:31.

The Under-14 boys race was won in impressive style by Sebastian Buxton (City of Stoke AC) in 8:37.

There was strong Welsh representation on the podium with Rowan Carson (Bridgend Athletics) finishing second in 9:18 and Noah Howells (Aberdare AAC) third in 9:21.

Following a two minute silence to mark Remembrance Sunday, the day’s action kicked off in misty sunshine with the boys and girls primary school races, organised in conjunction with Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

Esme Quinn (Torbay AAC) won the primary girls race in 4:58, while the honours in the boys race went to William Flynn (Oswestry Olympians) in 4:23.

RESULTS